Fermentation bung



J1 B. FISCHER July 12,1932.

FERMENTATION BUNG Filed Dec. 9, 1931 I N V EN TOR. Jag 6% 22 Z ATTORNEY.

Patented July 12, 1 932- PAT GFFICE JOSEPH B. FISCHER, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS FERMEN'IATION BUNG Application filed December 9, 1931. SerialNo. 579,917.

This invention relates to that type of valved fermentation bungs bymeans of which gases formed during a fermentation process in a closedcontainer, are permitted to freely 5 escape while a passage of outeratmosphere to the interior of such container is efiectively prevented.And this improvement has for its object:

To provide a structural formation and combination of parts of the valvemember of a fermentation bung, of a simple and durable nature, by meansof which a passage of atmospheric air into the closed container in whichthe fermentation operation takes place,

is effectively prevented while permitting a free and ready escape of thegases evolved during the progress of such operation, all as willhereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing:

0 Fig. 1 is a vertical section, elevation partly on line l1. Fig. 2, ofa fermentative bung embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail horizontal section on line 22, Fig. 1. Like referencenumerals indicate like parts in both views.

In this invention the main and fixed portion of the valve housingcomprises a cylindrical shell 1, closed at its upper end by a detachableflanged cap or head 2 having a central inlet-outlet orifice 3, adaptedto permit of a ready introduction of a filling of water into theinterior of the valve housing; at its lower end the shell is permanentlyclosed by a. flanged head 4, as shown.

In the present construction the fixed head 4 is formed with a centralorifice through which passes a vertical tube 5 that is fixedly securedto said head by attaching washers 6, on the upper and lower faces of thehead, as

shown in Fig. 1.

The upper portion of the vertical tube 5 extends up in the interior ofthe valve housing to near the upper end of the same, with the open upperend of said tube forming the fixed annular seat or member of the presentvalve structure. The lower portion of said vertical tube depends belowthe valve housing and is attached to a closure head or bung 7, adaptedto fit the bung hole of a barrel or like vessel used in the process offermentation, an example of it is shown and described in my prior PatentNo. 1,477,552, dated December 18, 19:23.

Loosely encircling the portion of the vertical tube within the valvehousing, is a tubular member or sleeve 8, the upper end of which isprovided with a closure head 9 of cork or like yielding material, toconstitute the movable valve head or member of the valve structure, andin connection with the annular seat formed by the upper end of thevertitube 5 is adapted to control the passage to and from said tube.

At its side the shell 1 is formed with an orifice 10 at a predetermineddistance below 05 the top of said shell and adapted to permit an outflowof an excess of water that may be introduced into the interior of thevalve housing.

In practical use, an outward movement of the gases evolved in theprocess of fermentation, through the vertical tube 5 acts to lift themovable valve head 9 away from its closure contact with the upper end ofsaid tube, thus permitting a downward fiow of the gas through theannular channel between the tube 5 and its encircling sleeve 8, and fromunder the lower end of the sleeve 8, to pass up through the body ofwater contained in the main housing of the valve.

With the present construction, any tendency, due to a reduced pressurein the interior of the closed fermentation vessel, to draw air from theouter atmosphere to meet such reduction in pressure, is not onlyprevented by the filling of water in the valve housing, but isadditionally insured by a closed condition of the movable valve head 9,aforesaid.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, is

1. A valve structure for fermentation bungs, comprising a housing formedby a cylindrical shell, a removable closure head at top of said shelland a fixed closure head at the bottom of the shell, a vertical tubularmember fixedly secured in the aforesaid lower head with its upper endconstituting a stationary annular valve seat, with its lower portiondepending for attachment to a bung or closure head, and a tubular sleeveencircling said vertical member and carrying in its upper end an elasticvalve head adapted for closure contact with the upper end of saidvertical member.

6 2. A valve structure for fermentation bungs, as specified in claim 1,and wherein the vertical tubular member is secured in lace in the lowerhead of the valve housing y attaching disks on the respective faces of10 said lower head.

3. A valve structure for fermentation bungs, as specified in claim 1,and wherein the removable head of the valve housing is formed with acentral inlet-outlet passage.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

JOSEPH B. FISCHER.

